MARCH 2013

13TH ANNUAL HERSTORY CALENDARSOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE

Art of Book MakingMarch 4 • 11 a.m. • SWGCC Room 5201:30 p.m. • BC LAC Room 2311/2313

The New War on Women: Redefining Our FrontlinesMarch 6 • 9 a.m. • BC LAC Room 3309

What a Drag drag show/fundraiser

March 7 • 12:30 p.m. • BC MC Theatre

International Women’s Day CelebrationMarch 8 • 11 a.m. • BC MC Theatre Lobby

Domestic Violence 101: Identification and PreventionMarch 19 • 9:30 a.m. • RBC Room 105

March 25 • 1 p.m. • BC LAC Room 2311/2313

Herstory Book SaleMarch 20 • 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. • BC MC First Floor Alcove

Women FilmmakersMarch 21 • 7 p.m. • BC LAC Room 1370

9th Annual Herstory Weekend in honor of Women’s History Month

March 22-23 • 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.Pitchers, 104 W. Main St., Belleville

Admission is $8 ($6 with a clothing donation); proceeds benefit the Tapestry of Community Offerings (TOCO)

single-parent scholarships at SWIC.

Speak Your PieceMarch 27 • 6:30 p.m. • BC MC First Floor Lounge

Associate Professor of English Monica Hatch straightens up some of the books during the 2012 Herstory Book Sale.

Associate Professor of Philosophy Katherine Witzig, left, and Associate Professor of English Composition Winnie Kenney show off some of the items collected in 2012 to benefit the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois.

DonationsHerstory encourages all members of the community to support women’s history year-round. Donations benefiting single parents, students seeking nontraditional careers and survivors of abuse can be made to the SWIC Foundation to support Herstory financial awards.

Show your support by purchasing: a $10 “Don’t Assume I Cook Book,” contact Winnie Kenney at ext. 5430; for a $10 Herstory T-shirt, contact Barbara Hunter at ext. 5590 or Shawn Vratney at ext. 5309.

Make a difference in someone’s life by donating food, clothing, household items and electronics to the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois. Collection barrels will be available throughout March.

fac.swic.edu/herstory

COMING SOON … AQIP Communication Committee Survey

Details in From the Desk of the President on the next page.

FROM THE DESK OFTHE PRESIDENTInternal Communication SurveyAt our college discussion day and in a prior institutional survey, communication was identified as a priority consideration to help enhance “a culture of awareness, trust and support.” To address that priority, an AQIP Action Project committee is working to “assess the effectiveness of our communication with all employee groups, students, prospective students and other external stakeholders.” The first phase of the committee’s work will focus on employee communication.

To that end:• A brief employee-satisfaction survey about internal communication

has been developed.• The committee will email a link to the survey just before spring break.• We encourage everyone to take 10-15 minutes to participate

within the planned two-week window.

Please take this opportunity to express yourself; your voice counts.

Stakeholder CommunicationBesides publicity and resulting news coverage, another way we routinely share institutional news with the community is through monthly presidential reports to the Board of Trustees, which are made part of the public record. February Instruction Division highlights include:

• Biology professors Bob Weck and Mike Marlen were notified in January that their proposal – “Spatial and Temporal Changes in Benthic Macroinvertebrate Communities and Water Quality in Sparrow Creek” – has been accepted by the National Great Rivers Research and Education Center’s summer 2013 Environmental Internship Program. A SWIC student will receive the internship, which includes a $4,000 stipend. Results will be presented at the NGRREC Internship Symposium in August 2013. The project is one of only 19 selected by NGRREC for summer 2013.

• Aviation Pilot Training/Management Program Coordinator Keith Mueller received the Federal Aviation Administration Central Region “FAASTeam Member of the Year Award” on Jan. 27. FAASTeam promotes aviation safety and education outreach to the region. Mueller organized two area safety seminars in 2012 and periodically mentors members of the Young Eagles. He also trains first responders on how to handle aircraft accidents safely.

• Health & Exercise Science Professor Garry Ladd coordinated a service project for Belleville Campus students, who collected 1,035 items for local food pantries and the Belleville Area Humane Society.

Marketing CommunicationSWIC Public Information and Marketing has captured eight awards out of 20 entries in three national marketing communication awards competitions for work done in 2012. SWIC won five (three silver, two merit) Service Industry Advertising Awards; one silver Collegiate Advertising Award; and two merit Educational Advertising Awards. Winning categories included: social media, external publication, posters and sports. Since 2008, PI&M has received 24 national awards.

Pay It Forward,

Georgia Costello, Ph.D.President

MARCH CALENDAR1 Garage Band Night, 7 p.m., BC IM Gym

2 Sophomore Day, women’s game at 1 p.m., men’s game at 3 p.m.; BC Varsity Gym; admission $5 for adults, $2 for students or free with a student or military ID

5 Concerts in the Café, “Ed and Friends,” 7 p.m., BC MC Café

5 Chad Pregracke, 10:30 a.m., SWGCC The Commons

11-17 College closed for Spring Break

19 Concerts in the Café, “Waterloo German Band,” 7 p.m., BC MC Café

19 Platinum Chef, 8:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Red Bud High School

21 High School Art Show Reception and Award Ceremony, 6-8 p.m., Schmidt

22 George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass, 7 p.m., BC MC Theatre, tickets $6 in advance

23 Creative Kids Series: Ready, Set, Glue!, 12:30 p.m., Schmidt; admission $5 per child

25 Project Re-Runway Fashion Show, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., PSOP Feurer Hall; tickets $10 in advance

26 SWIC Chamber Singers, 7 p.m., Schmidt

27 SWIC Student Recital, 3 p.m., Schmidt

29-31 College closed

WHERE IN THE WORLD…

Are you planning your spring break or summer vacation? Bring Flat Kashmir along! He’s the college’s portable mascot, and he wants to travel with you!

Download your own Flat Kashmir, cut him out, and he’s ready for his close-up.

Don’t forget to share your photos—Post them on Kashmir’s Facebook page or email them straight to the snow leopard himself.

MARCH CAMPUS BRIEFSBELLEVILLE CAMPUS

Get ready to rock at the Garage Band Night Friday, March 1 at 7 p.m. in the BC IM Gym. Local bands will show off their skills at this free event that is open to the public. Participating bands include: You’re Not Kablamo!; 3 of 5; Carte De Visite; and Fuel the Fire. Dig out your ’90s grunge T-shirts and swing by to hear some great, original music.

The men and women’s basketball teams will celebrate Sophomore Day Saturday, March 2. The Blue Storm will take on Kaskaskia College in the final home games of the season. Game times are 1 p.m. for the women and 3 p.m. for the men. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students or free with a student or military ID.

Be sure you’re there when George Portz and the Friends of Bluegrass make their annual appearance this spring! This concert event takes place Friday, March 22 at 7 p.m. in the MC Theatre. Enjoy a variety of musical talent featuring the Worthington Family of Sparta, Ill. and the Junior Fiddle Jam. Tickets are $6. For more information, call ext. 5561.

Get ready for a rockin’ good time as College Activities continues its popular Concerts in the Café series. Ed and Friends will get things movin’ Tuesday, March 5 at 7 p.m. and the Waterloo German Band will bring you to your feet Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. Both concerts will be held in the BC MC Café.

Talented high school artists will have their works on display at the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center from Thursday, March 21 through Thursday, April 4 as part of the 2013 High School Student Art Show. The opening reception and awards ceremony will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 21. The awards will be given out starting at 7 p.m.

Have you ever wanted to paint by numbers? If so, watch for email details after Spring Break for your opportunity to do just that courtesy of the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center and the SWIC Visual Arts Club. You can be part of SWIC history and progress in the making!

SAM WOLF GRANITE CITY CAMPUS

Don’t miss an enlightening and entertaining presentation by regional environmentalist Chad Pregracke! The president and founder of America’s only “industrial strength” river clean-up organization, Living Lands & Waters will be on campus Tuesday, March 5 at 10:30 a.m. in The Commons.

RED BUD CAMPUS

Find out whose fare will receive top honors at the Red Bud Campus Platinum Chef Competition Tuesday, March 19. The annual competition, held at Red Bud High School, begins at 8:45 a.m. with awards to be presented at 1:30 p.m.

COLLEGE BOUND—Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education Carolyn Beal, center, and her son, Elijah, left, spoke with Creighton University representative Amanda Kranz at the 25th Annual Metro East Baccalaureate College Fair. The fair offered high school and community college transfer students the opportunity to visit more than 100 colleges and universities all in one afternoon. The SWIC Counseling Center was among the fair’s sponsors.

CELEBRATION OF ART AND CULTUREPoetry and visual art recently combined when the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center hosted an artist talk and poetry slam in celebration of Black History Month. The featured artist was Sun Smith-Foret, whose African-American quilts inspired the recited poetry. Pictured, from left, are Schmidt Art Center Curator/Facility Coordinator Nicole Dutton, student poet Pacia Anderson, Smith-Foret, Assistant Professor of English Treasure Redmond and poet Jaye Willis.

SIUE OFFICE OPEN HOUSE

Stop by the SIUE office in BC MC Room 1070 to see the “facelift” the outer office has received, meet the new site coordinator and learn about the services SWIC students can receive, including the Dual Admission agreement with SWIC and SIUE.

March 6-7, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There will be refreshments and giveaways!

POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATE—Public Safety Officer Michael Flake graduated from the Part-Time Police Academy Session 21 in February, receiving the Best Overall Physical Fitness certificate. Pictured, from left, are Police Academy Director Van Muschler and Flake.

NATIONAL MARROW DONOR REGISTRYIT Specialist Natalie Huck, left, helps student Glenn Milliner of East St. Louis register to be a bone marrow donor. Minority Transfer and Multicultural Student Services Center Secretary Lydia Johnson also helped register potential donors at the Belleville Campus. A registration day was also held at the East St. Louis Community College Center.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHTCollege Activities Board members at the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus show off the pet supplies they collected during the recent 12-hour challenge. Pictured, from left, are Jessica Pou of St. Louis, daughter of SWGCC Associate Dean for Instructional Services Patricia Pou; and John Edwards, Elizabeth Aldana, Kyle Phouangmalay and Tyler Kelly, all of Granite City. The students’ haul included pet food, toys and treats, all of which will be donated to local animal shelters.

SURS COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS

SURS will be scheduling retirement counseling appointments through March 19 (or until all appointments are filled) for those eligible for one-on-one counseling sessions. Counseling sessions will be held at the Belleville Campus in Library Conference Room 1016 Thursday and Friday, April 17-18.

Hours being scheduled are:• April 17 from 12:30–4:30 p.m.• April 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

An email about eligibility and instructions for scheduling your appointment was sent in February.

Appointments are made directly through SURS. Space is limited. Visit www.surs.org or call 1-800-ASK-SURS.

DARWIN TURNS 204—The 15th annual Darwin Day celebration featured lectures from local biology experts, including Associate Professor of Biology Bob Weck, who joined with Debbie Newman, regional representative of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, to discuss endangered and threatened species in southwestern Illinois.

COLON HEALTH PRESENTATION

Did you know that only 62 percent of Illinois residents who should be tested for colon cancer have had their exams? You can help prevent colon cancer by spreading the word about the importance of colonoscopies. Learn more at a free session March 26 at 1:30 p.m. in BC MC Room 1380. For details, call Cindy Broyles at ext. 5254.

GO BLUE STORM!The Blue Storm basketball teams recently wore teal shirts and socks to raise awareness of thyroid cancer. The teams have been packing the gym all season long…so don’t miss out on your last chance to join the excitement this season! Catch them in action March 2, when they take on Kaskaskia College. The women tip off at 1 p.m., with the men starting at 3 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students or free with a student or military ID.

FROM THE BOARD OF TRUSTEESAT THE FEBRUARY MEETING, THE SWIC BOARD OF TRUSTEES:

• Accepted four local grants and one state grant totaling $47,000 to benefit PSOP’s Alternative Transportation System, Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs; a $13,000 grant from Madison County Community Development to help low-income Adult Basic Education students take the GED test or find employment; and a $10,000 U.S. Department of Agriculture Child Food Program grant to provide free and reduced-price meals to children in the College Activities child care program.

• Approved the following appointments: Assistant Instructional Technology Manager Antoinette Josato; and BC Mailroom Coordinator Terry Payne-Dancy.

“Regular Board Meeting Minutes” and “Other Board Minutes” are posted on swic.edu. Click “About Us” and “Board of Trustees.”

LIFELONG LEARNING—Instructor Brad Eilering, right, helps Roger Knox, retired evening supervisor and financial aid adviser, in Community Education’s Intro to Knot Tying course. Participants in the class learned how to master several basic knot patterns for fly fishing from Eilering and Construction Technology Program Coordinator Jim Laing. Check out the Community Education spring schedule.

MASCOT AROUND TOWNKashmir the Snow Leopard had a busy February! He traveled to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville to celebrate Eddie the Cougar’s birthday along with other area mascots. He was also spotted with Sam Wolf Granite City Campus Custodian Sylvester Collins Sr. at a Blue Storm basketball game.

SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT

GOT SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT?Email julie.ninnis@swic.edu with your individual

or department accomplishments.

Trustee Eugene Verdu has been reappointed Consulate of Belize for southern Illinois and northern Missouri by the Minister of Finance.

On Feb. 26, Communications Specialist and former Insider Chat editor Melanie Reinhardt and her husband, Phillip, welcomed their second child, a baby girl named Sydney Grace.

SUSTAINABILITY CORNERBY KAREN STALLMAN

HOLIDAY LIGHT RECYCLING DRIVE DIVERTS MORE THAN 100,000 POUNDS OF LIGHTS FROM LANDFILLS!

Thanks to those of you who dropped off holiday lights at the campuses. According to St. Louis Green, the total amount diverted from the landfill was 102,000 pounds of lights! SWIC was just one of many partners in the St. Louis area. The holiday lights will be crushed, the materials will be separated and everything will be recycled into new products. Big thanks to all of you for donating your lights. We couldn’t have done it without you!

THINK GREEN IN ’13!

Get ready to celebrate Earth Month 2013. We have great events and activities scheduled at each campus. Here are just a few of the events planned:

Jean Ponzi with the Missouri Botanical Gardens will be back at the Belleville Campus on Tuesday, April 2 from noon-1 p.m. for a Lunch and Learn in the Garden Room. Ponzi will talk with faculty, staff, students and others on ways to live more sustainably.

The Sam Wolf Granite City Campus will feature an energy day Wednesday, April 3. The campus will host a 90-minute presentation on alternative energy options and maximizing funding opportunities. A solar generator will be parked and deployed in the small parking area directly outside the auditorium. A screening of a new documentary called “Switch,” which discusses energy initiatives present and future, will also be shown.

On Tuesday, April 16, Perennial will present a “Repurposing and Creative” Living Lunch and Learn at the Red Bud Campus. Perennial is a nonprofit based in St. Louis that transforms trash into amazing items and teaches the community to do the same. Join us as Perennial leads us through a creative exploration of re-uses for old and readily discarded items. You’ll leave with simple steps and tons of inspiration for living more sustainably, self-sufficiently and economically.

Watch for details about these events in the next few weeks.

TORNADO SAFETY GUIDELINESBy Public Safety Director Mark A. Green, CPP

Tornado season is fast approaching. Now is the time to refresh your awareness of tornado safety measures. A tornado watch is issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. A tornado warning is issued when a

tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar.

Public Safety monitors the Emergency Broadcast System and local emergency service functions for tornado watches and warnings. Tornado information will be announced over the Public Address System and/or by Public Safety officers and other staff members.

In the event of a tornado, follow the directions below:1. Seek shelter indoors or in a designated shelter.

Tornado shelter signs identify designated shelters or, if a shelter is not available, go to the most interior, lower level of a building.

2. Individuals in outlying buildings, i.e., Modular Buildings, Intramural Gym, maintenance and horticulture buildings, must seek shelter in the Main Complex, Schmidt Art Center, Information Sciences Building or Liberal Arts Complex.

3. Students are directed and encouraged to take shelter; however, should students choose to leave, they leave campus at their own risk.

4. Stay in the shelters until directed by Public Safety or authorized staff members. Public Safety will use the Public Address System and/or Public Safety officers to notify individuals when the situation changes.

5. Class cancellations or other directions will be made by the president, successor or senior administrator (i.e., evening/weekend supervisor or other senior representative) in coordination with President’s Staff.

6. Should an evacuation be necessary because of physical damage, follow the evacuation procedures listed in the Emergency Response Guide or locate the nearest Public Safety officer for direction. Avoid any hazards and report those encountered to Public Safety.

7. Belleville Campus Public Safety will maintain communication with the Red Bud Campus, Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, PSOP and Fire Science Center.

8. Follow the directions of the Public Safety officers or other staff members. Faculty/staff members should assist in moving students and other personnel to designated shelters.

We all know how dangerous tornadoes can be to property, but more importantly, human life. Please take any tornado watch or warning seriously and take the appropriate action.

SPRING BREAK IS MARCH 11-17.

Be sure to lock all doors, desks and files; secure valuable items such as TVs; turn off all unnecessary lighting; and alert Public Safety if special needs are required in your area.